Moscow to Beijing via Central Asia Aboard the Golden Eagle

The Princes of Muscovy traded precious furs – sable, ermine and fox – for the silks of China that reached their borders on the backs of swaying camels along the old Silk Road. Today you can make the epic journey along the Silk Road aboard comfortable private trains instead of, as in the old days, hazarding the wild deserts and fierce tribes of Central Asia with a caravan of well-armed merchants.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Discover the mixed heritage of Tashkent, capital of UzbekistanDiscover the heritage of Tashkent, an old Silk Route city that is a jumble of wide tree-lined boulevards, oversized 20th century Soviet buildings and reconstructed...

Discover the mixed heritage of Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Discover the heritage of Tashkent, an old Silk Route city that is a jumble of wide tree-lined boulevards, oversized 20th century Soviet buildings and reconstructed traces of the old city with mud-walled houses, narrow winding lanes, mosques and madrassahs (Islamic religious schools).

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance

Days 1-4: Moscow, Volgograd

Check into a five star Moscow hotel. Visit UNESCO-listed Red Square or the world-class Tretyakov Gallery. Board the luxury private train, arriving in Volgograd (Stalingrad during Soviet times), the scene of one of the most important battles of World War II.

Highlights

UNESCO-listed Red Square with its imaginatively decorated St. Basil’s Cathedral

Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) with the Mamaev Kurgan memorial and the Panorama Museum

Days 5-8: Khiva, Darvaza, Ashgabat, Merv

The train rolls through Kazakhstan’s Kyzyl Kum Desert, crossing into Uzbekistan. Admire Khiva, among the most important oases on the Silk Road. In Turkmenistan, you can choose to make a foray into the desert for a nighttime glimpse of the "Door to Hell," the burning Darvaza gas crater. In Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, take a tour of this modern city, glittering with gold and marble. Visit the UNESCO-listed ancient ruins of Merv.

Highlights

Kyzyl Kum (Red Sands) Desert, likely a camel or two

Original residence of the khans, the Kunya Ark

Dzhuma Mosque, famous for its carved wooden pillars

Ichon-Qala, or Khiva’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, with marble and gold monuments

Ruins of Marghiana and Archaeological Museum in UNESCO-listed ancient Merv

Days 9-11: Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent

The highlights of Bukhara are the mud-brick Ark, the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara, and the Lyabi-Hauz Plaza, its atmosphere cooled by the lovely reflecting pool in its center. Spend a day admiring the Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ulug Bek Observatory and Registan Square in Samarkand, Tamerlane’s beautiful capital. Visit Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, a modern city rebuilt in the Soviet style after an earthquake in 1966.

Highlights

Bukhara’s atmospheric Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ark Citadel, Bukhara’s ancient fortress

Emir’s Palace of Moon and Stars, the emir’s home following the Soviet takeover

Museum of National Crafts

Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage Site called “Crossroads of Cultures”

Highlights

Days 14-15: Turpan, Dunhuang

Arriving in Turpan, tour the ruined city of Jiaohe, built in the 2nd century. In Dunhuang, explore the UNESCO-listed Mogao Thousand Buddha Caves, containing almost 500 frescoed grottoes carved between 700 and 1,700 years ago.

Highlights

Mogao Thousand Buddha Caves, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dunhuang

Crescent Moon Lake, bubbling up in the midst of desert sand dunes

Days 16-18: En route, Xi’an

Spend a day relaxing and watching the starkly beautiful Gobi Desert landscape unfold outside your window. Inspect the armies of Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an, guarding the grave of an emperor since 200 BC. Or, choose to visit the 2nd century BC Han Yangling Mausoleum and Museum, displaying chariots, weapons and figurines exhumed from the nearby tombs. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty cultural performance.

Highlights

Days 19-22: Beijing

Board the new bullet train for the journey to Beijing, then transfer to a premier hotel for a three-night stay. Take in the classic sights of China’s greatest city, including the imposing Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, enormous Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall. Alternately, stroll among the beautifully preserved courtyard homes in the ancient village of Cuandixia. Celebrate the epic journey with a farewell dinner.

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Tour Dates & Prices

There are no departures available at this time.

Please contact us for more information and a MIR Destination Specialist will contact you shortly. Thank you!

What’s Included

On Your Tour

Per the itinerary, 5 nights of shared accommodation in well-located hotels.

All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day, including a generous, though not unlimited, allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners.

Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities.

All guided off-train tours per itinerary.

The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.

Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant while on board the train.

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare

MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.

Travel Insurance

Stay a Little Longer…

MIR can arrange for an extended program in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Mongolia or China before or after your tour. Consider a pre-tour of St. Petersburg, often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, or perhaps a post-tour of Shanghai, arguably the most westernized city in China. All of MIR’s destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this program. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.

Is this Trip Right for You?

This trip is moderately active, and is rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers.

A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.

Read our Travel Journals

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Golden Eagle and the Shangri-La Western Express

The perfect combination of remote destinations and comfortable accommodations, rail journeys by private train open a world of discovery to travelers who enjoy comfort and leisure time as well as exciting new vistas.

The exclusive Golden Eagle private train furnishes the dream of Old World rail travel with modern comforts and amenities that make the journey as pleasant as the destination. The luxurious Golden Eagle is a fully en suite train and a restful and satisfying way to experience legendary rail routes.

Two styles of accommodation are available on board the Shangri-La Western Express for the portion of the journey in China: Diamond Class (en suite) and Heritage Class (shower at one end; WC at both ends of each car).

Those traveling in Gold or Imperial Suite Classes on the Golden Eagle train portion will travel in Diamond Class on the Shangri-La Western Express.

Those traveling in Silver Class on the Golden Eagle portion will travel in Heritage Class on the Shangri-La Western Express.

Train & Hotel Accommodations

Relax and enjoy the panorama rolling past your private window and disembark for guided off-train touring in fascinating towns and cities along the way.

Each sleeping carriage on the Golden Eagle has its own attendants who provide bed turndown service, plus tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day. Attendants keep an eye on everything while guests are away from the train. L’Occitane body products, as well as premium bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer, are provided in all cabin categories.

After three nights in a Beijing hotel at the start of the journey, travelers spend three nights aboard the Shangri-La Western Express. Diamond Class cabins feature a large lower bed, while Heritage Class cabins are furnished with two lower twin berths.

Imperial Suite

Imperial Suites are the most beautiful and spacious cabins available onboard the Golden Eagle. Measuring a surprising 120 sq ft (11.1 sq meters), they are furnished with a luxurious king size bed, dedicated seating area, dressing table and private en suite facilities with large power shower and under floor heating. Individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player with LCD screen and two large picture windows make the cabin a pleasant retreat.

Gold Class

Gold Class cabins are well-proportioned and feature modern en suite amenities including power showers, under floor heating, a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, remote-controlled air-conditioning/heating, recessed lighting and wardrobe and a personal safe. Each cabin is configured with upper and lower berths, and can accommodate double, twin or single occupancy.

Note: The 5th compartment is of a slightly different layout (68 sq ft), and will normally be allocated to single guests.

(click on photo to see larger version)

Silver Class

Silver Class cabins are more compact than Gold Class cabins with similar facilities. Silver Class cabins feature the same amenities as Gold Class cabins but in a smaller space and with a smaller, wet room-style shower area.

Diamond Class

Diamond Class cabins are the more comfortable and spacious cabins available onboard the Shangri-La Western Express private train. Measuring 75 sq ft (7 sq meters), each cabin is furnished with a large double bed, window table and chair, wardrobe, and DVD/CD player with LCD screen. They are outfitted with private en suite facilities, including a WC, sink and wet-room-type shower.

Heritage Class

Heritage Class cabins are more compact than Diamond Class cabins, offering comfortable accommodation with twin-berth compartments featuring two lower berths. Beds convert to comfortable sofas for daytime travel and there is storage space under the berths and above the door in each cabin. A WC is found at each end of the car, and each car has a shower compartment at one end as well.

Hotel Accommodations

The first and last nights of most tours are spent in well-appointed four and five star hotels. Some tours feature additional hotel nights. Please review the detailed itinerary for specifics pertaining to each tour and departure. Additional nights before and after any tour can be arranged on request.

Life Aboard the Train

The Golden Eagle and Shangri-La Express private trains provide everything you need for a pleasurable journey. Join travelers from around the world to enjoy the relaxed and casual environment onboard, with no need to wear formal attire on excursions or while dining.

Train formations are not fixed, as the composition varies to suit the number of passengers on a given departure. Group sizes on winter trips are generally more intimate than spring, summer or fall departures. The exact configuration of the train on any particular journey may not be determined until close to departure.

Please note that a variety of cabins styles are in use aboard the train. Decor, layout, type and number of dining, bar and sleeping cars on your journey may differ from the sample images depicted in our brochures/websites.

Bar/Lounge Car

A Bar/Lounge Car is a favorite destination in the train formation and is typically included on most departures. The lounge offers a relaxing and comfortable area where you can enjoy a drink, take language lessons, and gather around the piano with other passengers.

Dining Cars

Dining Cars feature local and European cuisine complemented by a selection of local and European wines (except on trips in Iran). Dining cars are multi-purpose, used for on-board lectures and viewing documentaries. One or more dining cars may be included in the train formation of any given departure depending on the number of passengers.

Off-Train Tours

Rail journeys feature an extensive selection of educational city tours in the various stops on our routes. Private coaches and local guides whisk you away from your private train for fascinating half- or full-day forays into the principal towns and cities, sometimes including an in-city dining opportunity. Read through this tour’s itinerary for more information (found on the Itinerary & Map tab of this page).

Have a Question?

Send us your question below and we will get back to you soon. We can also be reached by phone 8:30am-5:30pm Pacific time, Monday-Friday toll free at 800-424-7289.

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Traveler Reviews

“Great trip…the people were so friendly! We enjoyed learning about the incredible history of this fascinating part of the world. Our driver in Uzbekistan consistently went above and beyond. He was always there for us.”- The Huffmans - Mansfield, OH